theprorni(is ofperfeverance,&c. 287 the promifes of perfeverance, when he feeles his owne weakneffe, and confidereth the (lrengthand malice ofhis Adverfaries. Firfl, Let himheartily bewailehis pronenefle tofinne, aptneffe to decline, inability to withRand any one temp- tation, or fet one Rep forward in the way to Heaven, Woe is me, poore wretched, blìnde,lamc, crooked,flcke, impotent, un(lable as the running water How was I bewitched withfelfe- confidenceand conceit of fpirituall fulneffe ? I lave prefumed upon my wifdome, as fuflici- ent todirec`t my wayes ; and leaned uponmy llrength, as able to make refinance againl temptations, Rand upon mine owne bottome, andgo through hitchwith my re- folutions : But now I finde my wifdome is ignor.nc°, vanity, and folly, myflrength weakneffe : I amunable to thinke one good thought, fet one flep forward towards Heaven, keepe my (landing, or withRand the lean affault. In paine Iampetti(li, under croffes faint, heartlefie, dif content,'ready to flie at the found ofperfecution,fecure in profperity, puffed up with comforts, apt tobe led away with worldly allurements. My fpirituall talle is dinem- peredwith carnali vanities, which reli(h fweeter to me then the mercies ofGod inChrift ; mine appetite to the Word and food of life is abated, my zeale decayed, mine affec`fionsdull to good, my devotion cooled, my corifci- ence benummed. I heare, but feed not upon the Word my Prayers are cold,heartleffe,roving ; in earthly imploy-- ments I keepe no moderation, daily weaknefles and lefler fumes goe downe without reluc°cation : the inotions of the Spirit quickly die, the motions of the flea) live and get flrength, admonition is fruitles,reproofeunwelcome. In my courfe I am ready toRumble at every rub,linger af- terevery baite laid by Sathan or the world to catch me, and totterupon the fmalle(l tentation. Every day I have greater experience of myweakeneffe then other, foone di(lempered and put out of frame ; ifby any meanes for alittle time myheart be brought into fome better order,I Meaner toflirre upour Myer u believe tkefe promifer ol per feveranee. I. am
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